The Community’s Challenge:
A majority of high school students graduate feel unsupported and underprepared to make college and career decisions… A majority of recent college graduates report being underprepared for the modern workplace… And a majority of HR leaders report that recent graduates lack the skills—like communication, collaboration, and critical thinking—that they need to succeed at work.
ETA’s Intergenerational Solution:
ETA equips teens and young adults with the practical skills, confidence, and professional networks needed for career success. Through financial literacy education, career readiness training, one-on-one mentoring, and real-world experiences, participants develop workplace, communication, and financial management skills while learning from experienced older adult volunteers.
Programs include:
- University of Shady Grove/University of Maryland – Older adult volunteers support college students by serving as advisors on class projects, sharing career experiences, and providing guidance as students prepare for graduation and the transition into the workforce.
- PathFinder – A mentoring program for young adults ages 16–24 that helps participants explore careers, build professional skills, set goals, and prepare for employment through individualized guidance from experienced professionals.
- Financial Literacy – Interactive workshops that teach high school and young adult participants essential financial skills such as budgeting, banking, saving, credit, debt management, and financial decision-making to promote long-term financial stability.
- Boost – In partnership with 4MontgomerysKids, ETA provides caring adult mentors for young adults who have aged out of Montgomery County’s foster care system. Mentors offer ongoing encouragement, connections to resources, and individualized support while participants also have access to ETA’s PathFinder and Financial Literacy programs.
